<The Netherlands Travel

The Netherlands

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1. Geography

The Kingdom of The Netherlands (Koninkrijk der Nederlanden) consists of five regions, with twelve provinces and a number of Caribbean islands (The Netherlands Antilles, Bonaire, Curacao, Saba, Sint Eustatius and Sint Marrten and the island of Aruba) as overseas territories.

While The Netherlands encorporates only 41,526 square km (15,972 square miles), (almost half the size of Maine) and a population of 15 million (slightly less than Texas), it is a land of extremely diverse resources. The Netherlands is the delta of Europe. Located here is the Rhine and Maas Rivers and their tributaries which empty into the North Sea. The center of the country is surprisingly wooded while in the southernmost part, there are rolling hills. While Amsterdam is the focal point of the nation, another city such as Den Haag (The Hague) is regarded as the world center of international justice. In addition, cities like Rotterdam are viewed as the country's industrial center and world's largest port while Haarlem, Leiden, Delft and Utrecht are known for their historical sites.

The Netherlands lie on the western edge of the European mainland between latitude 50* 45' 12' north and between longitude 3* 21' and 7* 13' east. It is surrounded on the east by Germany, and on the south by Belgium.

Much of The Netherlands ("Low Countries") lie below sea level, but is protected by the construction of dykes. As a result, the country's coastline has been reduced from over 1100 km/685 miles to less than 500 km/310 miles.

The climate of The Netherlands is under strong maritime influence, because no part of the country is more than 150 km/95 miles from the sea. As a result, there are only relatively slight annual and daily temperature variations and rainfalls throughout the year. Between June and July, the monthly rainfall and the number of days with rain increase considerably. The rain becomes more abundant, often falling in the form of violent showers. From September to November, there is more rain on the coast than farther inland: thus in October, the coast has 80 mm/3 inches of rain, while inland, on the frontier with Germany, the figure is barely 60 mm/ 2 and a half inches.

When to visit The Netherlands:

Spring: This is the best time of year to come. While cities such as Amsterdam are always beautiful to see, springtime is when fields of flowers are in full bloom. Make sure to check out the Keukenhof which is located in Lisse where millions of Dutch tulips and other flowers can be seen. My advice, if it is your first time travelling to the Netherlands, this is the season to come.

Summer: This is the main season for seaside resorts on the Dutch coast. During the months of June to July and then until the end of August, be sure to book hotels well in advance.

Winter: Winters are relatively mild. More than twenty ice rinks, aside from frozen canals, rivers and lakes can be found for recreational fun.

Autumn: This time of year is always beautiful, but it is the rainiest of seasons, especially in coastal areas.

2. History

From the First World War to the Maastricht Treaty (1914-1992):

1914-1918:

-The Netherlands maintain strict neutrality during the First World War. Over a million Belgians flee north.

1929-1936:

- Economic crisis, over 400,000 unemployed.

1939-1945:

- Second World War.

-German troops occupy The Netherlands and the royal family and government escape to Britain.

-Strikes in February 1941 and May 1943 against the deportation of Jews.

-Strike by railwaymen in 1944.

-War damage is estimated at 25 billion guilders.

1944:

Belgium, The Netherlands and Luxembourg establish the Benelux customs union which is brought into effect in stages between 1944 and 1948.

1948:

-Coronation of Queen Juliana

1954:

-The Netherlands join NATO

-Surinam and the Netherlands Antilles are granted self-government but remain part of the kingdom of The Netherlands.

1957:

-Establishment of the European Economic Community

1958:

-A customs and economic union of the Benelux states is established. The economic union comes into force on January 1, 1960.

-Introduction of new social insurance provision, including a state pension.

1962:

-Educational reform: simplification of the school system

1967:

-Birth of heir to the throne, Prince Willem Alexander

-The largest field of natural gas in the world is discovered in the province of Groninger.

1970:

-New income law: regulation of wage settlements.

1976:

-Prince Bernhard, Queen Juliana's husband, having been implicated in the "Lockheed affair," resigns all his public offices but remains a member of the Council of State.

1979:

-Economic stagnation. Cuts in state expenditure, "Plan 81," designed to reduce unemployment, fails to produce the desired effect.

1980:

-Queen Juliana abdicated on age grounds and is succeeded by her eldest daughter, Beatrix.

1981:

-A Parliamentary election results in the emergence of a new political force. The left-wing liberal Democrats gain great electoral success and join the government.

1986:

-Foreigners who have lived in The Netherlands for not less than five years are given the vote in local government elections.

1988:

-The speed limit in motorways is raised from 100 km p.h./62 m.p.h. to 120 km p.h./75 m.p.h.

1990:

Parliament passes a law extending the permitted opening times of shops. As from 1991, shops can stay open for half an hour longer on weekdays and half an hour longer on Saturdays.

1991:

In December, the Heads of the 12 countries of the European Community meet in Maastricht and sign an agreement in principle on political, economic and monetary union.

1992:

-The "Treaty on European Union" (The Maastricht Treaty) is signed and comes into force in 1993 together with the European Single Market.

1994:

-The 40th anniversary of tulip growing in The Netherlands is celebrated.